Overstroke latch assembly

ABSTRACT

A closure assembly is mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position. The closure assembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between the closed position and the at least one open position. A first lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first and second lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking to lock the latch in a latched position.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/894,631filed on Jul. 20, 2004, which is expressly incorporated herein byreference and itself claims priority of Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/583,661, filed Jun. 29, 2004, entitled “Overstroke LatchAssembly.”

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a latch assembly on a vehicle's door,tailgate or other closure structure and, more particularly, to a latchassembly that requires overstroking to latch onto a striker for lockinga door, tailgate or other closure structure in a closed position. Thepresent invention finds particular application as a latch or lockassembly on a tailgate and, more specifically, a dual-mode tailgate andwill be described with particular reference thereto. It is to beappreciated, however, that the invention may relate to other similarenvironments and applications.

Tailgates and, more particularly, dual-mode tailgates are generallyknown. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,406 issued to Coker discloses adual-mode tailgate for use on a station wagon. “Dual-mode” refers to thetwo directions or pivot axes along which a dual-mode tailgate isopenable. More particularly, a dual-mode tailgate is selectivelyopenable in a first, fold-down direction about an axis generallyparallel with a bottom edge of the tailgate similar to a conventionalpick-up truck tailgate. The dual-mode tailgate is also selectivelyopenable in a second, side-to-side direction about an axis generallyparallel with a lateral edge of the tailgate.

Generally, a dual-mode tailgate includes a dual-mode hinge pivotallyconnecting the tailgate to a vehicle, a first hinge/lock assembly spacedapart from the dual-mode hinge in a first direction and a secondhinge/lock assembly spaced apart from the dual-mode hinge in a seconddirection. For example, the dual-mode hinge is positioned in alower-left corner of the tailgate, the first hinge/lock assembly ispositioned in a lower-right corner of the tailgate and the secondhinge/lock assembly is positioned in an upper-left corner of thetailgate.

When the first hinge/lock is detached from the vehicle, the tailgate isopenable in a first mode (e.g., swing-open mode) wherein the secondhinge/lock and the dual-mode hinge cooperate to pivotally connect thetailgate to the vehicle along a first axis (e.g., an axis generallyparallel with a lateral edge of the tailgate). When the secondhinge/lock is detached from the vehicle, the tailgate is openable in asecond mode (e.g., flip-down mode) wherein the first hinge/lock assemblyand the dual-mode hinge cooperate to pivotally connect the tailgate tothe vehicle along a second axis (e.g., an axis generally parallel with abottom edge of the tailgate). Often, a conventional lock assembly isprovided in a corner of the tailgate cater-corner or diagonally oppositethe dual-mode hinge to further secure the tailgate to the vehicle whenthe tailgate is in a closed position.

To prevent damage to the vehicle and the tailgate, as well as injury toan operator of the tailgate, the dual-mode tailgate is preferablyprevented from operating in both of its modes simultaneously, i.e., thefirst and second hinge/lock assemblies are not allowed to both bedetached from the vehicle simultaneously. In some vehicles, sensors areemployed for determining whether the first and second hinge/lockassemblies are in respective locked positions, i.e., securing thetailgate to the vehicle. In these vehicles, one of the first and secondhinge/lock assemblies is only allowed to be unlocked and detached fromthe vehicle when a sensor indicates the other of the first and secondhinge/lock assemblies is locked and secured to the vehicle. Typically,sensors are needed at each hinge/lock assembly for determining thestate, locked or unlocked, of each hinge/lock assembly. Employingmultiple sensors increases the cost and ease of manufacture of thetailgate's control system. Accordingly, there is a need for a simplifiedlatch assembly that can be used in a dual-mode tailgate with a singlesensor to assist in preventing the tailgate from opening in two modessimultaneously.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect, a closure assembly is mounted on avehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one openposition. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the closureassembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehiclefor movement between the closed position and the at least one openposition. A first lock assembly selectively locks the closure structureto the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly also selectively locksthe closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first andsecond lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking tolock the latch in a latched position.

In accordance with another aspect, a tailgate assembly is provided thatis adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carryingbed wherein the tailgate is able to alternatively pivot about (1) afirst axis generally parallel with a bottom edge of the tailgate formovement between a closed position and a fold-open position and (2) asecond axis generally parallel with a first lateral edge of the tailgatefor movement between the closed position and a swing-open position. Moreparticularly, in accordance with this aspect, the tailgate assemblyincludes a tailgate selectively closing an open end of an associatedvehicle load-carrying bed. A dual-mode hinge assembly is mounted to thetailgate adjacent a first corner of the tailgate. A locking assembly ismounted to the tailgate adjacent a second corner of the tailgate. Thelocking assembly is selectively latched to an associated locking strikerof the associated load-carrying bed.

A first hinge/lock assembly is mounted to the tailgate adjacent a thirdcorner of the tailgate. The first hinge/lock assembly is selectivelylatched to an associated first hinge/lock striker of the associatedload-carrying bed and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly topivotally support the tailgate about a first pivot axis. A secondhinge/lock assembly is mounted to the tailgate adjacent a fourth cornerof the tailgate. The second hinge/lock assembly is selectively latchedto an associated second hinge/lock striker of the associatedload-carrying bed and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly topivotally support the tailgate about a second pivot axis.

The tailgate is openable to the fold-open position when the secondhinge/lock assembly and the locking assembly are unlatched fromrespective associated strikers and openable to the swing-open positionwhen the first hinge/lock assembly and the locking assembly areunlatched from respective associated strikers. The locking assemblylatches to the associated locking striker (1) after the secondhinge/lock assembly latches to the associated second hinge/lock strikerwhen the tailgate is moved from the fold-open position to the closedposition and (2) after the first hinge/lock assembly latches to theassociated first hinge/lock striker when the tailgate is moved from theswing-open position to the closed position.

According to yet another aspect, a dual-mode tailgate assembly isprovided having a tailgate mounted to an associated vehicle. Thetailgate is moveable from a closed position to a first open position andalternatively a second open position. More particularly, in accordancewith this aspect, the dual-mode tailgate assembly includes a dual-modehinge pivotally connected to the associated vehicle for movement about afirst axis and alternative movement about a second axis. A firsthinge/lock assembly is releasably locked to the associated vehicle andspaced from the dual-mode hinge in a first direction. A secondhinge/lock assembly is releasably locked to the associated vehicle andspaced from the dual-mode hinge in a second direction.

The tailgate is openable in a first direction to the first open positionwhen (i) the first hinge/lock assembly is detached from the associatedvehicle and (ii) the second hinge/lock and the dual-mode hinge pivotallyconnect to the associated vehicle. The tailgate is openable in a seconddirection to the second position when (i) the second hinge/lock isdetached from the associated vehicle and (ii) the first hinge/lock andthe dual-mode hinge pivotally connect to the associated vehicle. A meansis provided for preventing (1) the first hinge/lock assembly fromreleasing from the associated vehicle when the second hinge/lock isreleased from the associated vehicle and (2) the second hinge/lockassembly from releasing from the associated vehicle when the firsthinge/lock is released from the associated vehicle.

According to still another aspect, a latch assembly is provided for usewith a striker in latching first and second bodies together when atleast one of the bodies is movable relative to the other of the bodies.The striker is mounted to one of the bodies and the latch assembly tothe other of the bodies. More particularly, in accordance with thisaspect, the latch assembly includes a latch having a latch recess. Thestriker is moveable into and from the latch recess when the latch is inan unlatched position. The latch is moveable to a latched positionwherein the latch locks onto the striker thereby latching the bodiestogether. A ratchet is moveable between (1) an engaged position whereinthe ratchet holds the latch in the latched position and (2) a disengagedposition wherein the ratchet allows the latch to move between theunlatched and the latched positions. The ratchet is only moveable fromthe disengaged position to the engaged position when the latch isoverstroked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements ofcomponents, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawingsare only for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a dual-mode tailgateopenable in (1) a first, fold-down direction and (2) a second,side-to-side direction.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the tailgate on the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a lock assembly taken along the line3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly taken along theline 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the lock assembly of FIG. 3 showing thelocking assembly being unlocked from a striker.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the lock assembly of FIG. 3 showing thelock assembly unlocked from the striker and the tailgate opening.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the lock assembly of FIG. 3 showing thelock assembly being locked onto the striker wherein a latch is in alatched position prior to overstroking and a ratchet is in a disengagedposition.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the lock assembly of FIG. 3 showing thelock assembly being locked onto the striker wherein the latch is inoverstroked position and the ratchet is in an engaged position.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the lock assembly of FIG. 3 showing thelocking assembly locked onto the striker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating one or more embodiments only and not for purposes oflimiting the same, with reference to FIG. 1, a closure structure orassembly, such as dual-mode tailgate 10, is shown as a component of aload-carrying bed 12 of a vehicle V. In the illustrated embodiment, thevehicle is a sport utility truck (SUT), but it is to be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the vehicle V could be any other type ofvehicle having a bed, such as a pick-up truck, utility truck or othervehicle. Generally, the bed 12 includes a bed floor 14 having aplurality of walls 16,18,20 extending upwardly adjacent three edgesthereof and forming a portion of a vehicle body of the vehicle V.

The dual-mode or dual-axis tailgate 10 is positioned along an open, rearedge 28 of the bed floor 14. More particularly, the tailgate 10 extendsbetween the first and second sidewalls 16,20 to selectively close anopen end of the load-carrying bed 12. The tailgate 10 is mounted to thevehicle V and is able to pivot about a first axis 30 (FIG. 2) formovement between a closed position and a fold-open position. In theillustrated embodiment, the first axis 30 is generally horizontal andparallel with the rear edge 28 of the bed floor 14 and a bottom edge 32of the tailgate 10. The tailgate 10 is also alternatively able to pivotabout a second axis 34 (FIG. 2) for movement between the closed positionand a swing-open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondaxis 34 is generally vertical and parallel with a first lateral edge 36of the tailgate and a first sidewall end 38.

To facilitate the dual-mode action of the tailgate 10, with additionalreference to FIG. 2, a dual-mode hinge assembly 40 attaches or ismounted to the tailgate 10 at or adjacent a first corner of the tailgateformed at the intersection of the bottom edge 32 and the first lateraledge 36 of the tailgate 10. The dual-mode hinge assembly 40 pivotallyconnects the tailgate 10, along the first and second axes 30,34, to thevehicle V. More specifically, the dual-mode hinge assembly 40 pivotallyconnects to the first sidewall end 38 adjacent the rear edge 28 of thebed floor 14 for movement about the first axis 30 and alternativemovement about the second axis 34. In one embodiment, the dual-modehinge assembly is that described in commonly owned, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/663,581, entitled “Tailgate Dual Mode Hinge WithIntegrated Checker” and filed on Sep. 16, 2003, expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

A first hinge/lock assembly 42 attaches or is mounted to the tailgate 10spaced from the hinge assembly 40 in a first direction. Morespecifically, the hinge/lock assembly 42 is mounted at or adjacent asecond corner of the tailgate formed at the intersection of the bottomedge 32 and a second lateral edge 44 of the tailgate 10. The firsthinge/lock assembly 42 selectively latches or locks to a firsthinge/lock striker (not shown) to releasably lock the tailgate 10 to thevehicle V. The first hinge/lock striker is mounted to or adjacent asecond sidewall end 48 adjacent the rear edge 28 of the bed floor 14.When operating as a hinge, the first hinge/lock assembly 42 cooperateswith the hinge assembly 40 to pivotally support the tailgate 10 along orabout the first axis 30 and allows the tailgate to move between thetailgate closed position and the fold-open position.

A second hinge/lock assembly 50 attaches or is mounted to the tailgate10 spaced from the hinge assembly 40 in a second direction. Morespecifically, the hinge/lock assembly 50 is mounted at or adjacent athird corner of the tailgate formed at the intersection of the firstlateral edge 36 and a top edge 52 of the tailgate. The second hinge/lockassembly 50 selectively latches or locks to a second hinge/lock striker54 to releasably lock the tailgate 10 to the vehicle V. The secondhinge/lock striker 54 is mounted to or adjacent an upper portion of thefirst sidewall end 38. The second hinge/lock assembly 50 cooperates withthe hinge assembly 40 to pivotally support the tailgate 10 along orabout the second axis 34 and allows the tailgate to move between thetailgate closed position and the swing-open position.

A lock or locking assembly 60 attaches or is mounted to the tailgate 10at or adjacent a fourth corner of the tailgate formed at theintersection of the top edge 52 and the second lateral edge 44 of thetailgate. The locking assembly 60 selectively latches to a lockingstriker 62 (FIG. 3) to releasably lock the tailgate to the vehicle V.The striker 62 is mounted to or adjacent an upper portion of the secondsidewall end 48. The tailgate 10 is openable toward or to the fold-openposition when both the second hinge/lock assembly 50 is unlatched fromthe second hinge/lock striker 54 and the locking assembly 60 isunlatched from the locking striker 62. The tailgate 10 is openabletoward or to the swing-open position when both the first hinge/lockassembly 42 is unlatched from the first hinge/lock striker and thelocking assembly 60 is unlatched from the locking striker 62.

The tailgate 10 additionally includes a first or upper handle 70 and asecond or lower handle 72. The upper handle 70 communicates with asynchronizer 74 through a rod or lever 76. The lower handle 72communicates with the synchronizer 74 through a cable 78. Thesynchronizer 74 selectively allows the upper handle 70 to unlock thehinge/lock and locking assemblies 50,60 from their respective strikeswhen the upper handle 70 is pulled via rod 80 and cable 82. Thesynchronizer 74 also selectively allows the lower handle 72 to unlockthe hinge/lock and locking assemblies 42,60 from their respectivestrikes when the lower handle is pulled via the rod 80 and rod 84. Thus,the synchronizer 74 selectively enables the upper handle 70 to open thetailgate 10 to the flip-down or fold-open position and the lower handle72 to open the tailgate to the swing-open position.

From the fold-open position, the tailgate 10 is moveable toward or tothe closed position. As the tailgate 10 moves into the closed positionfrom the fold-open position, the second hinge/lock assembly 50 and thelocking assembly 60 latch onto respective strikers 54,62 and, as will bediscussed in more detail below, the locking assembly 60 latches onto thelocking striker 62 only after the second hinge/lock assembly 50 latchesonto the second hinge/lock striker 54 (or, stated in reverse, secondhinge/lock assembly 50 latches onto striker 54 before or prior tolocking assembly 60 latching onto striker 62). From the swing-openposition, the tailgate 10 is moveable toward or to the closed position.As the tailgate 10 moves into the closed position from the swing-openposition, the first hinge/lock assembly 42 and the locking assembly 60latch onto their respective strikers (striker 62 for latch assembly 60)and, as will also be described in more detail below, the lockingassembly 60 latches onto the locking striker 62 only after the firsthinge/lock assembly 42 latches onto the first hinge/lock striker (or,stated in reverse, first hinge/lock assembly 42 latches onto its strikerbefore or prior to locking assembly 60 latching onto striker 62).

To prevent damage to the vehicle V and/or the tailgate 10, as well aspotential injury to a user of the tailgate, the tailgate 10 is preventedfrom operating in both of its modes (swing-open and fold-down)simultaneously. For this purpose, the second hinge/lock assembly 50 isprevented from unlatching from its striker 54 whenever the firsthinge/lock assembly 42 is already unlatched from its striker. Similarly,the first hinge/lock assembly 42 is prevented from unlatching from itsstriker whenever the second hinge/lock assembly 50 is already unlatchedfrom its striker 54. Moreover, the first and second hinge/lockassemblies 42,50 are prevented from both unlatching from theirrespective strikers at the same time. Thus, one of the first and secondhinge/lock assemblies 42,50 is always latched onto its striker wheneverthe other of the first and second hinge/lock assemblies is unlatchedfrom its striker.

Because the locking assembly 60 always latches after the first andsecond hinge/lock assemblies 42,50, the locking assembly 60 and, moreparticularly, the state of the locking assembly (i.e., latched orunlatched) are used to determine the status of the hinge/lockassemblies. If the locking assembly 60 is latched, then it is known thatboth the first and second hinge/lock assemblies 42,50 are latched. Byexample, if the tailgate 10 is opening toward the swing-open position orthe fold-down position, the locking assembly 60 is unlatched with onlyone of the first and second hinge/lock assemblies 42,50. When thetailgate 10 is closed from either the swing-open position or thefold-down position, the lock assembly 60 latches only after the hingelock assembly 42 or 50 (with which the lock assembly 60 was unlatched)latches. Since only one hinge/lock assembly 42,50 unlatches with thelock assembly 60 at any given time, whenever the lock assembly 60re-latches, it is known that the unlatched hinge/lock assembly 42 or 50has already been re-latched because the lock assembly 60 only latchesafter the unlatched hinge/lock assembly re-latches. Therefore, wheneverthe lock assembly is latched, it is known that the both the hinge/lockassemblies 42,50 are latched.

Conversely, whenever the lock assembly 60 is unlatched it is known thatone of the hinge/lock assemblies 42,50 is unlatched. By example, if thelocking assembly 60 is unlatched with the first hinge/lock assembly 42to open the tailgate toward the swing-open position, the lock assembly60 will not re-latch until the first hinge/lock assembly 42 re-latches.Similarly, if the locking assembly 60 is unlatched with the secondhinge/lock assembly 50 to open the tailgate toward the fold-openposition, the lock assembly 60 will not re-latch until the secondhinge/lock assembly 50 re-latches. Thus, whenever the lock assembly 60is unlatched, one of the hinge/lock assemblies 42,50 is known to beunlatched.

In the illustrated embodiment, a sensor rod 86 is used to communicatethe status of the locking assembly 60 to the synchronizer 74. Based onthe communicated status of the locking assembly 60, the synchronizer 74selectively enables or disables the handles 70,72. As is known to thoseskilled in the art, the synchronizer 74 employs a series of pivotallymounted levers connected to the rods 76,80,84,86 and cables 78,82 forselectively enabling an disabling of the handles 70,72 based on thestatus of the locking assembly 60. When the sensor rod 86 indicates tothe synchronizer 74 that the lock assembly 60 is latched, both handles70,72 are enabled and either of the first and second hinge/lockassemblies 42,50 (but not both simultaneously) is allowed to beunlatched with the lock assembly 60 to open the tailgate 10 because, asalready discussed, it is known that both hinge/lock assemblies arelatched whenever the locking assembly 60 is latched. For example,provided the sensor rod 86 indicates the lock assembly 60 is latched,the synchronizer 74 enables the handles 70,72 so that pulling of thelower handle 72 unlatches both the first hinge/lock assembly 42 and thelock assembly 60 to open the tailgate to the swing-open position.Alternatively, with the handles 70,72 enabled, pulling of the upperhandle 70 unlatches both the second hinge/lock 50 and the lock assembly60 to open the tailgate to the fold-down position.

When the sensor rod 86 indicates that the lock assembly 60 is unlatched,both handles 70,72 are disabled by the synchronizer 74. For example,when the tailgate is opened with the lower handle 72 toward theswing-open position, the lock assembly 60 and the first hinge/lockassembly 42 are together unlatched. The sensor rod 86 indicates to thesynchronizer 74 that the lock assembly 60 is unlatched and thesynchronizer disables the handles 70,72. Thus, the upper handle 70cannot be pulled to unlatch the second hinge/lock assembly 50. The lowerhandle 72 no longer needs to be enabled as the tailgate is alreadyopenable in the swing-open mode. When the tailgate is opened by theupper handle 70 toward the fold-down position, the lock assembly 60 andthe second hinge/lock assembly 50 are together unlatched. The sensor rod86 indicates to the synchronizer 74 that the lock assembly 60 isunlatched and the synchrozier disables the handles 70,72. Thus, thelower handle 72 cannot be pulled to unlatch the first hinge/lockassembly 42. The upper handle 70 no longer needs to be enabled as thetailgate is already operable in the flip-down mode. Once disabled, thehandles 70,72 are not enabled again by the synchronizer 74 until thelocking assembly 60 is overstroked and re-latched.

With additional reference to FIGS. 3-9, the locking assembly 60 includesa latch assembly having a latch 90 that requires an overstroke to latchor lock onto the striker 62. Having a latch that requires overstrokingdiffers from at least most conventional vehicle locks, including thosetypically found on tailgates. Conventional vehicle locks may includelatches that permit overstroking (and sometimes include means to corrector reverse such overstroking), but generally do not require overstrokingto latch or lock onto a striker. Requiring overstroking enables eitherof the first and second hinge/lock assemblies 42,50, which includelatches (not shown) that do not require overstroking, to sequentiallylatch or lock onto their respective strikers prior to the latch 90latching or locking onto the striker 62. Thus, when the tailgate 10 ismoved from the fold-open position to the closed position, the secondhinge/lock assembly 50, which is unlatched along with the latch 90 ofthe locking assembly 60 when the tailgate is in the fold-open position,latches to its striker 54 before the overstroke of the latch 90 iscompleted which is necessary for the latch to latch or lock onto thestriker 62. When the tailgate 10 is moved from the swing-open positionto the closed position, the first hinge/lock assembly 42, which isunlatched along with the latch 90 of the locking assembly 60 when thetailgate is in the swing-open position, latches to its striker beforethe overstroke of the latch 90 is completed which is necessary for thelatch to latch or lock onto the striker.

The locking assembly 60 further includes a lock body 92 to which thelatch 90 is rotatably mounted. The lock body 92 defines a lock bodyrecess 94 for receiving the locking striker 62 when the tailgate 10 ismoved to the closed position from any open position, including theswing-open position and the fold-down position. The latch 90 includes alatch recess 96 for receiving the striker 62 when the latch is in anunlatched position (shown in FIG. 6) and the tailgate 10 is moved to theclosed position from the open position. As will be described in moredetail below, as the tailgate 10 is moved to the closed position and thestriker 62 is received in the recesses 94,96, the striker 62 causes thelatch 90 to move and, specifically, rotate about the striker 62 to alatched position wherein the latch 90 locks the striker 62 in the lockbody 92. When the latch 90 is in the unlatched position, the striker 62is moveable into and from the recesses 94,96.

The latch 90 is rotatably urged in a first rotatable direction(counterclockwise in FIG. 3) by a biasing means, such as torsion spring97. More specifically, the latch 90 is rotatably urged toward theunlatched position (the position shown in FIG. 6). Engagement between afirst leg 98 of the latch 90 and a wall 100 of the lock body 92 preventsthe latch from rotating beyond the unlatched position. The latch 90 isrotatably moveable in a second rotatable direction (clockwise in FIG. 3)by and about the striker 62 to the latched position (the position shownin FIG. 3) when the tailgate 10 is moved from any open position to theclosed position.

A ratchet 102 is rotatably mounted to the lock body 92 adjacent thelatch 90. The ratchet 102 is rotatably moveable between a disengagedposition (the position shown in FIG. 6) and an engaged position (theposition shown in FIG. 3). In the disengaged position, the ratchet 102does not obstruct the latch 90 from rotating in either of the first andsecond rotatable directions. When the ratchet 102 is in the engagedposition, the latch 90 can be held in the latched position. Moreparticularly, when the latch 90 is rotated in second direction to orpast the latched position and the ratchet 102 moves to the engagedposition, the ratchet holds the latch in the latched position againstthe urging of the biasing means 97 which urges the latch to rotate inthe first direction toward the unlatched position.

Specifically, the latch 90 includes a catch surface 104 on a second leg106 of the latch that engages or cooperates with an opposing catchsurface 108 of the ratchet 102 to hold the latch in the latchedposition. Thus, the ratchet 102 can hold the latch 90 in the latchedposition wherein the latch can lock the striker 62 to the lock body 92.As will be described in more detail below, the ratchet 102 is onlymoveable from the disengaged position to the engaged position when orafter the latch 90 is overstroked. Thus, the latch 90 is not held in thelatched position until the latch is overstroked to move the ratchet 102to the engaged position. Overstroking the latch 90 requires the latch tobe moved in the second direction past the latched position to anoverstroked position (position shown in FIG. 8).

A ratchet guide lever 112 is also rotatably mounted to the lock body 92adjacent the ratchet 102. The ratchet guide lever 112 is rotatablymoveable between a holding position (the position shown in FIGS. 3 and6) and a release position (the position shown in FIG. 8). In the holdingposition, the ratchet guide lever 112 will hold the ratchet 102 in thedisengaged position provided the ratchet 102 is in the disengagedposition. In the release position, the ratchet guide lever 112 allows(i.e., does not obstruct) the ratchet 102 to move from the disengagedposition to the engaged position. The ratchet 102 is rotatably urged inthe second direction (clockwise in FIG. 3) by a biasing means, such astorsion spring 110, toward or to the disengaged position. Alternatively,the ratchet 102 can be oriented such that gravity urges the ratchet inthe second direction. Thus, when the ratchet guide lever 112 is in therelease position, the ratchet 102 is urged to or toward the engagedposition. A stopper 114 limits movement of the ratchet 102 in the seconddirection at the engaged position, i.e., the spring 110 acts on theratchet to move the ratchet toward the engaged position but the stopperprevents the ratchet 102 from moving in the second direction past theengaged position.

The ratchet guide lever 112 is rotatably urged in the second direction(clockwise in FIG. 3) by a biasing means, such as torsion spring 113,toward or to the holding position. Alternatively, the ratchet guidelever 112 can be oriented such that gravity urges the lever 112 towardthe holding position. Thus, when the ratchet guide lever 112 is in therelease position, the spring 113 urges the lever 112 in second directiontoward or to the holding position. The lever 112 is limited from movingbeyond the holding position in the second direction by at least one of araised portion 116 of the latch 90 and a raised portion 126 of theratchet 102. The ratchet guide lever 112 is moveable by the latch 90 infirst direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3) to the release positionwhen the latch 90 is moved in the second direction to the overstrokeposition. As already mentioned, when the ratchet guide lever 112 is inthe release position, the ratchet 102 is allowed or enabled to berotatably urged toward the engaged position so that the ratchet canblock or obstruct the latch 90 from returning or moving in the firstdirection toward or to the unlatched position. The latch 90 remainsblocked until the ratchet 102 is moved to or toward the disengagedposition.

More specifically, the ratchet guide lever 112 is moved by the latch 90in the first direction when the raised portion 116 of the latch 90engages a surface 118 of the lever 112 as the latch is moved past thelatched position and toward the overstroked position. The raised portion116 is disposed on the second leg 106 of the latch 90 adjacent therecess 96. The surface 118 is disposed along the lever 112 and spacedapart from a pivotal connection 120 of the lever to the lock body 92.The raised portion 116 forces the lever 112 toward the release positionthereby releasing the ratchet 102.

The lever 112 includes a shoulder portion 122 disposed along the surface118 and spaced from the pivotal connection 120. The shoulder portion 122includes a flat surface 124 that engages the raised portion 126 of theratchet 102. More particularly, the raised portion 126 is disposed onthe ratchet 102 adjacent the opposing catch surface 108. When theratchet 102 is in the disengaged position and the lever 112 is in theholding position, the shoulder portion 122 blocks or limits movement ofthe ratchet so that gravity cannot move the ratchet to the engagedposition. When the lever 112 is moved to the release position, theshoulder portion 122 no longer obstructs the ratchet from falling intothe engaged position.

Opposite the flat surface 124, the shoulder portion 122 includes atapered surface 128. The tapered surface 128 allows the raised portion126 to pass by the shoulder portion 122. More particularly, when theratchet 102 is raised from the engaged position to the disengagedposition, the raised portion 126 engages the tapered surface 128 therebyforcibly moving the lever 112 from the holding position toward therelease position. As will be discussed in more detail below, the ratchet102 is raised when one of the handles 70,72 is pulled and thesynchronizer 74 connects the movement of the pulled handle to the rod 80which moves rod lever 140 in the direction of arrow 210 (FIG. 5) toraise the ratchet to the disengaged position. After the raised portion126 passes the shoulder portion 122, the lever 112 is again able to beurged to the holding position wherein the shoulder portion 122 holds theratchet 102 in the disengaged position.

A sensor lever 142 is provided adjacent the ratchet 102 and opposite therod lever 140. When the ratchet 102 is in the disengaged position, thesensor lever 142 is in a corresponding position and the sensor rod 86,which is connected to the sensor lever 142, mechanically communicatesthe unlocked status of the locking assembly 60 to the synchronizer 74.When the ratchet 102 is in the engaged position, the sensor lever 142 isin another corresponding position and the sensor rod 86 mechanicallycommunicates the locked status of the locking assembly 60.

In operation, when the tailgate 10 is in any open position, the lockassembly 60 is not latched or locked to the striker 62 and the latch 90,ratchet 102 and the lever 112 are in the positions shown in FIG. 6. Withreference to FIG. 7, as the striker 62 and the lock body 92 of the lockassembly 60 are brought together through closing of the tailgate 10(i.e., a force is applied to the tailgate to close the tailgate), thestriker 62 enters the recesses 94,96 the latch 90 and lock body 92.Engagement between the striker 62 and the second leg 106 of the latch90, as the striker 62 is forced into the recesses 94,96 by closure ofthe tailgate 10, causes the latch 90 to rotate in the second direction200 against the urging of the latch 90 in the first direction by thespring 97. As shown in FIG. 7, the latch 90 rotates about the striker 62to the latched position. However, because the latch 90 has yet to beoverstroked, the latch 90 is not yet prevented from rotating back in thefirst direction by the torsion spring 97.

At the same time, the other of the hinge/lock assemblies 42,50 that wasopen with the lock assembly 60 to open the tailgate 10 to one of theopen positions is latched and held in a latched position. Because thehinge/lock assemblies 42,50 function conventionally (i.e., do notrequire overstroking to latch), the open or unlatched hinge/lockassembly 42 or 50 is securely or fully latched at about the time thelatch 90 of the lock assembly 60 reaches the unsecured latched positionshown in FIG. 7. Continuing to bring the striker 62 and the lock body 92together, such as by further closing the tailgate 10, causes the striker62 to penetrate further into the lock body recess 94 and further rotatethe latch 90 in the direction 200 to the overstroked position shown inFIG. 8. When the ratchet 102 moves to the engaged position, the sensorlever 142 moves in the direction of arrow 205 thereby pulling the rod 86from the synchronizer 74 to mechanically communicate to the synchronizerthat the locking assembly 60 is now locked. The sensor lever 142 can beurged toward the position shown in FIG. 8 so that when the ratchet movesto the engaged position, the sensor lever is forced to rotate therebypulling the rod 86. Alternatively, the sensor lever 80 could beconnected to the ratchet 102 so that movement of the ratchet is directlytransferred into movement of the sensor lever 142.

While the striker 62 moves the latch 90 into the overstroke position,the raised portion 116 of the latch 90 engages the surface 118 of thelever 112 and moves the lever 112 from the holding position of FIG. 7 tothe release position of FIG. 8, as indicated by arrow 202. As the lever112 moves to the release position, the shoulder portion 122 is removedfrom obstructing movement of the ratchet 102 in the second direction,indicated by arrow 204, as urged by the spring 110. Thus, once theshoulder portion 122 is moved away from the raised portion 126 of theratchet 102, the ratchet moves from the disengaged position shown inFIG. 7 to the engaged position shown in FIG. 8.

With the ratchet 102 in the engaged position, the force applied to thetailgate 10 to close the tailgate is no longer needed. Without a forceapplied, the striker 62 no longer rotates the latch 90 thereabout and,with reference to FIG. 9, the latch is again urged in the firstdirection 206 by the biasing means 97. The catch surface 104 of thelatch 90 engages the opposing catch surface 108 of the ratchet 102 whichholds the latch 90 in the latched position. As long as the ratchet 102remains in the engaged position, the latch 90 is held in the latchedposition thereby latching onto the striker 62 and locking the striker tothe lock body 92 of the locking assembly 60. As shown, the ratchet guidelever 112 is able to return to the holding position, as indicated byarrow 208, after the raised portion 126 of the ratchet 102 clears theshoulder portion 122 of the lever.

To unlock or unlatch the lock assembly 60 from the striker 62, theratchet 102 is moved from the engaged position of FIG. 9 to thedisengaged position of FIG. 6. Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 5and 6, when one of the handles 70,72 is pulled while the handles areenabled, the pulled handle's stroke is connected by the synchronizer 74to the rod 80 so that the rod 80 raises the ratchet 102 to thedisengaged position via the rod lever 140. Thus, rod 80 is moved towardthe locking assembly 60 by the synchronizer 74 which moves rod lever 140in the direction of arrow 210 to move the ratchet 102 in the directionof arrow 212. As already discussed, when the ratchet 102 is moved to thedisengaged position, the raised portion 126 of the ratchet 102 engagesthe tapered surface 128 of the lever 112 to forcibly move the lever inthe direction of arrow 214 toward the release position thereby allowingthe raised portion 126 to pass the shoulder portion 122. Once raisedportion 126 clears the shoulder portion 122, the lever 112 returns tothe holding position, as indicated by arrow 216, wherein the leverprevents the ratchet from returning to the engaged position. With theratchet 102 in the disengaged position, the latch 90 is rotated back inthe direction of arrow 218 to the unlatched position of FIG. 6, whereinthe latch first leg 98 engages the wall 100 of the lock body 92 whichunlatches or unlocks the striker 62 and allows the striker to be removedfrom the lock body 92 of the locking assembly 60. When the ratchet movesto the disengaged position, the sensor lever 142 is moved in thedirection of arrow 218 to communicate to the synchronizer 74 that thelocking assembly 60 is unlocked.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the position of theratchet 102 corresponds to the state of the locking assembly 60, i.e.,locked to or unlocked from the striker 62. When the ratchet is in thedisengaged position, the latch 90 is urged toward the unlatched positionand is held in the unlatched position by engagement with the wall 100.When the ratchet 102 is in the engaged position, the latch 90 is urgedtoward and is held by the ratchet in the latched position. Thus, theposition of the ratchet 102 can be used as an indicator of the status ofthe latch 90 and, more generally, the status of the locking assembly 60.Using the position of the ratchet 102, the sensor rod 86 communicatesthe status of the lock assembly 60 to the synchronizer 74. Moreparticularly, the sensor lever 142 is in a position corresponding theratchet's position. The sensor lever 142 is pivotally connected to thesensor rod 86 and thereby communicates the ratchet's position to thesensor rod. Thus, when the ratchet 102 is in the engaged position, thesensor lever 142 falls or is urged toward the stopper 114 with theratchet 102 and the rod 86 moves to communicate the ratchet's position(and the latched state of the latch) to the synchronizer 74. When theratchet 102 is in the disengaged position, the sensor lever 142 is movedupward by the ratchet 102 and again the rod 86 moves to communicate theratchet position (and the unlatched state of the latch) to thesynchronizer 74.

As already described, when the sensor rod 86 indicates to thesynchronizer 74 that the latch 90 and locking assembly 60 are unlockedfrom the striker 62 (i.e., ratchet in disengaged position), thesynchronizer disables the handles 70,72 thereby preventing unlatching ofhinge/lock assembly 42,50 still connected to the vehicle V. When thesensor rod 86 indicates that the latch 90 and locking assembly 60 arelocked to the striker 62 (i.e., ratchet in engaged position), thesynchronizer 74 enables the handles 70,72 allowing pulling of one of thehandles to unlatch the locking assembly 60 and one of the hinge/lockassemblies 42 or 50. The synchronizer 74 prevents simultaneous operationof the handles 70,72, even when the handles are enabled.

According to another embodiment, the latch assembly, including latch 90,lock body 92, ratchet 102 and lever 112, is used with a striker, such asstriker 62, to latch first and second bodies together when at least oneof the bodies is movable relative to the other of the bodies. Forexample, the first body could be the tailgate 10 to which the latchassembly 90,92 is mounted and the second body could be the vehicle V towhich the striker 62 is mounted. As described above, the latch 90 ismoveable to the latched position from the unlatched position and, tomaintain the latch in the latched position, the latch is moveable to theoverstroked position before returning to the latched position.Generally, to move the latch 90 from the unlatched position to thelatched position and to the overstroked position, at least one of thebodies, such as the tailgate 10, is moved toward the other of thebodies, such as the vehicle V. The latch 90 reaches the overstrokedposition when at least one of the bodies, such as the tailgate 10,reaches a predetermined position, such as a fully closed position,relative to the other of the bodies, such as the vehicle V.

When the latch 90 is overstroked, the ratchet 102 moves to the engagedposition to hold the latch in the latched position. More particular, asdescribed in more detail above, the latch 90 moves the lever 112 to therelease position which allows the ratchet to move into the engagedposition. In the engaged position, the ratchet 102 prevents the latch 90from moving beyond the latched position. In the latched position, thelatch locks onto the striker 62 which thereby locks the first and secondbodies, such as the tailgate 10 and the vehicle V, together. Afterlatching, the ratchet 102 can be moved from the engaged position to thedisengaged position to again allow the latch 90 to return to theunlatched position thereby allowing at least one of the first and secondbodies to be moved relative to the other of the bodies.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to theembodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construedas including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A latch assembly for selectively locking aclosure assembly and a vehicle body together, said latch assemblycomprising: a striker being mounted to one of said closure assembly andsaid vehicle body; and a latch being mounted to the other of saidclosure assembly and said vehicle body, said latch having a latch recessinto and from which said striker is movable as said closure assembly ismoved relative to said vehicle body when said latch is in an unlatchedposition, said latch moveable to a latched position wherein said latchlocks onto said striker thereby locking said closure assembly and saidvehicle body together, said latch movable from said unlatched positionto said latched position and lockable in said latched position onlyafter said latch is overstroked beyond said latched position, said latchnot lockable in said latched position if said latch is not overstrokedbeyond said latched position.
 2. The latch assembly of claim 1 furtherincluding a ratchet moveable between an engaged position wherein saidratchet holds said latch in said latched position and a disengagedposition wherein said ratchet allows said latch to move between saidunlatched and said latched positions, said ratchet moveable from saiddisengaged position to said engaged position only after said latch isoverstroked.
 3. The latch assembly of claim 2 wherein said latch isrotatably urged in a first direction toward said unlatched position andengagement between said striker and said latch rotates said latch in asecond direction toward an overstroked position to overstroke said latchand allow said ratchet to move from said disengaged position to saidengaged position.
 4. The latch assembly of claim 3 wherein saidengagement occurs when said closure assembly is moved toward saidvehicle body and said latch reaches said overstroked position when saidclosure assembly is at a predetermined position relative to said vehiclebody.
 5. The latch assembly of claim 2 further including a ratchet guidelever holding said ratchet in said disengaged position until said latchis overstroked which thereby moves said ratchet guide lever and allowssaid ratchet to moved to said engaged position.
 6. The latch assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said latch locks onto said striker thereby locking saidclosure assembly and said vehicle body together only after said latch isoverstroked.
 7. A latch assembly for a vehicle's closure assembly, saidclosure assembly mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closedposition and an open position, said latch assembly comprising: a lockassembly selectively locking said closure assembly to the vehicle whensaid closure assembly is in said closed position, said lock assemblyincluding a latch that that locks said closure assembly in said closedposition when said latch is in a latched position, said latch requiresrotatable overstroking past said latched position to lock said latch insaid latched position and thereby lock said closure in said closedposition, said latch not lockable in said latched position if said latchis not overstroked beyond said latched position.
 8. The latch assemblyof claim 7 wherein said latch is mounted to one of said closure assemblyand said vehicle, said lock assembly further including a striker beingmounted to the other of said closure assembly and said vehicle, saidstriker movable into and from a latch recess defined in said latch assaid closure assembly is moved relative to said vehicle when said latchis in an unlatched position, and said latch locks onto said striker whensaid striker is received in said latch recess and said latch is movedinto said latched position.
 9. The latch assembly of claim 7 whereinsaid closure assembly is a dual-mode tailgate adapted to be mountedalong an open edge of a load-carrying bed of the vehicle, said tailgateis alternatively pivotable about (1) a first axis generally parallelwith a bottom edge of the tailgate for movement between a closedposition and a fold-open position and (2) a second axis generallyparallel with a first lateral edge of the tailgate for movement betweenthe closed position and a swing-open position.
 10. The latch assembly ofclaim 9 further including a second lock assembly selectively lockingsaid tailgate to the vehicle, and wherein one of said lock assembly andsaid second lock assembly is a locking assembly selectively latched toan associated locking striker and the other of said lock assembly andsaid second lock assembly is a first hinge/lock assembly selectivelylatched to an associated first hinge/lock striker on the vehicle andcooperating with a dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support thetailgate about a first pivot axis.
 11. The latch assembly of claim 10further including a second hinge/lock assembly selectively latched to anassociated second hinge/lock striker on the vehicle and cooperating withthe dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support said tailgate about asecond pivot axis, said tailgate openable to said fold-open positionwhen said second hinge/lock assembly and said locking assembly areunlatched from respective associated strikers and openable to saidswing-open position when said first hinge/lock assembly and said lockingassembly are unlatched from respective associated strikers.
 12. Thelatch assembly of claim 7 wherein the lock assembly is a first lockassembly and the latch assembly further includes: a second lock assemblyselectively locking said closure assembly to the vehicle when saidclosure is in said closed position, said second lock assembly includinga latch that locks said closure in said closed position when said latchof said second lock assembly is locked in said latched position; asensor that determines whether said first lock assembly is locking saidclosure in said closed position wherein said latch of said first lockassembly is locked in said latched position only after beingoverstroked; and a synchronizer operatively connected to each of saidfirst lock assembly, said second lock assembly and said sensor, saidsynchronizer preventing said latch of said second lock assembly frombeing unlatched thereby unlocking said closure from the vehicle whensaid sensor determines that said latch of said first lock assembly is insaid unlatched position.
 13. A latch assembly for locking a closure to avehicle body, comprising: a first striker mounted to said closure or tosaid vehicle body; a first lock assembly mounted to said closure whensaid first striker is mounted to said vehicle body and mounted to saidvehicle body when said first striker is mounted to said closure, saidfirst lock assembly selectively latched to said first striker; a secondstriker mounted to said closure or to said vehicle body; and a secondlock assembly mounted to said closure when said second striker ismounted to said vehicle body and mounted to said vehicle body when saidsecond striker is mounted to said closure, said second lock assemblyselectively latched to said second striker, said first lock assemblylatching to said first striker after said second lock assembly latchesto said second striker when said closure is moved from an open positionto a closed position, wherein said first lock assembly includes a latchrequiring an overstroke to lock onto said first striker, said secondlock assembly latching to said second striker before said overstroke ofsaid latch when said closure is moved from said open position to saidclosed position.
 14. The latch assembly of claim 13 wherein said firstlock assembly includes said latch having a latch recess for receivingsaid first striker when said latch is in an unlatched position, saidlatch moveable to a latched position wherein said latch locks to saidfirst striker.
 15. The latch assembly of claim 13 further including: asensor that determines whether said first lock assembly is latched to orunlatched from said striker; and a means for preventing said second lockassembly from unlatching from said second striker when said sensordetermines that said first lock assembly is unlatched from said firststriker.
 16. The latch assembly of claim 13 further including: a sensorthat determines whether said first lock assembly is latched to orunlatched from said first striker; and a synchronizer operativelyconnected to said sensor and to said second lock assembly thatselectively disables said second lock assembly from unlatching from saidsecond striker when said sensor determines that said first lock assemblyis unlatched from said first striker.
 17. The latch assembly of claim 16further including a sensor rod extending between said first lockingassembly and said synchronizer for communicating to said synchronizerwhether said first lock assembly is latched to or unlatched from saidfirst striker.
 18. A vehicle closure assembly having a latching assemblyfor selectively locking the closure assembly, comprising: a closurestructure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between a closedposition and an open position; a first lock assembly selectively lockingsaid closure structure to said associated vehicle in said closedposition; and a second lock assembly selectively locking said closurestructure to said associated vehicle in said closed position, whereinone of said first and second lock assemblies includes a latchingassembly having a latch that requires overstroking to lock said latch ina latched position and the other of said first and second lockassemblies includes a latching assembly having a latch that does notrequire overstroking to lock.
 19. The vehicle closure assembly of claim18 further including a striker mounted on one of said closure structureand said associated vehicle, said latching assembly having said latchmounted to the other of said closure structure and said associatevehicle, said striker movable into and from a latch recess defined insaid latch as said closure structure is moved to and from said closedposition, said latch locks onto said striker when said striker isreceived in said latch recess and said latch is moved into said latchedposition after being overstroked.
 20. The vehicle closure assembly ofclaim 18 wherein said latching assembly includes a ratchet moveablebetween an engaged position wherein said ratchet holds said latch insaid latched position and a disengaged position wherein said ratchetallows said latch to move between an unlatched position and said latchedposition, said ratchet only moveable from said disengaged position tosaid engaged position after said latch is overstroked, wherein saidlatch is rotatably urged in a first direction toward said unlatchedposition and engagement between said striker and said latch rotates saidlatch in a second direction toward an overstroked position to overstrokesaid latch and allow said ratchet to move from said disengaged positionto said engaged position, said engagement occurring when said closurestructure is moved toward said associated vehicle and said latch reachessaid overstroked position when said closure structure is at apredetermined position relative to said associated vehicle.
 21. Theclosure assembly of claim 20 wherein said latching assembly furtherincludes a ratchet guide lever holding said ratchet in said disengagedposition until said latch is overstroked which thereby moves saidratchet guide lever and allows said ratchet to moved to said engagedposition.